Gated can lid



1957 G. s. KLEIN ETAL 3,334,775

GATED CAN LID Filed Feb. 23, 1965 INVENTORS Gerald B. Klein KennefhEHarper ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,334,775 GATED CAN LID Gerald B.Klein, 1891 Mabel 80229, and Kenneth E.

Harper, 5831 Taft 80215, both of Denver, Colo., assignors to said Kleinand said Harper, jointly Filed Feb. 23, 1965, Ser. No. 434,234

' 7 Claims. (Cl. 220-48) This invention relates to openings in the lidsof liquidcontaining cans, and more particularly to pre-formed lidconstructions for cans which permit the cans to be opened without theuse of can openers. The prepared opening in a can lid will behereinafter called an aperture, the structure which initially coversthis aperture will be called a gate, and the invention set forth hereinwill be generally referred to as a gated can lid.

There has been a continuing demand for better means for opening beercans and similar liquid-containing cans. There has especially been ademand for a lid construction on a beer can which may be opened withoutthe use of a can opener, and several types of lids have been developedwhich may be opened in this manner. A more successful type embodies ascored gate outline in the surface of the can lid and a supplementallever attached to the gate portion to facilitate breaking the gateportion loose and lifting it from the lid. Another type provides anindividual gate construction which is adapted to be placed underneath apre-formed aperture in the can lid and sealed in position with asuitable resin cement such as the type commonly known as Plastisol.While the first mentioned type is in common use, it is limited toaluminum lids and lids of similar soft metal wherein the gate may beeasily torn loose from the lid at the score marks. The extent of scoringis critical, and if too deep, the lids of the gate is apt to pop openand if not deep enough, it may be difficult to remove. A furtherdisadvantage of this first type mentioned lies'in the fact that once thelid is removed from the can, it can present a hazard, for example, a lidcarelessly thrown on a sandy beach can cause a severe cut should abarefoot individual step upon it. The other type may also be used withsteel lids and is generally satisfactory, but it is too expensive forlarge-quantity production.

The present invention is an outgrowth of a need to provide a furtherimproved gated can lid of a more simplified formthan the types nowavailable and which avoids certain obvious disadvantages, such as thoseabove mentioned. The invention comprises, in essence, a gated can lid ofa unitary construction wherein an indrawn, underfolded portion of thecan lid defines a smooth edged aperture, with the underlying lid portionconstituting a gate separable from the lid at a score cut at theunderfold.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved gatedcan lid, wherein the gate underlies the lid aperture to securely closethe lid at all times before it is opened, especially against pressurewithin the can, and is adapted to be opened by pressing inwardly intothe can to either remain hingedly attached to the lid or to separatetherefrom to fall into the can, and in either event to provide a furthersafety feature of eliminating a' small piece of sharpedge metal of asize which is apt to be carelessly thrown away to later constitute astepon hazard or the like.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a novel and improved gatedcan lid: wherein the aperture may assume any selected form to facilitatethe pouring of liquids from the can; wherein the gate underlying theaperture may be opened by simply pressing it inwardly by fingerpressure; and, wherein the aperture then presents a smooth, rounded edgeincapable of cutting the openers fingers when the can is being opened,or his lips should he drink from the can.

Further objects of the invention are to provide a novel and improvedgated can lid which: is a compact, neatappearing, easy-to-open,easy-to-sanitize unit; is of a unitary construction capable of beingmanufactured by ordinary drawing and shaping procedures using eitheraluminum or steel plate material; and, which may be manu factured at alowest possible unit cost with either steel or aluminum.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, all of which more fullyappear, our invention comprises certain constructions, combinations andarrangements of parts and elements, as hereinafter described, defined inthe appended claims and illustrated in preferred embodiment in theaccompanying drawing, in which:

FIGURE 1 is an isometric view of a can having a gate formed in the lidthereof, and constructed according to the principles of the invention.

FIGURE 2 is a top, plan view of the can, illustrated at FIG. 1, withdotted lines showing an edge portion hidden from view.

FIGURE 3 is a transverse, sectional detail of the top portion of the canas taken from the indicated line 3-3 at FIG. 2, but on an enlargedscale, with the outline of the individuals thumb pressing against thelid to open the gate portion, and with broken lines indicating themovement of the gate into the can when it is opened.

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary, sectional detail as taken from the indicatedline 4-4 at FIG. 3, but on a greatly enlarged scale.

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary, sectional detail, similar to FIG. 4, butshowing an alternate mode of scoring the gate to permit it to separatefrom the body of the lid.

FIGURE 6 is an underside view of the lid illustrated at FIG. 2, but on areduced scale.

FIGURE 7 is a plan view of the lid, similar to FIG. 2, but on a reducedscale and illustrating another form of aperture which may be embodied inthe invention.

Referring more particularly to the drawing, FIG. 1 illustrates a metalcan C having a cylindrical wall 10 enclosed by a fiat, circular bottomlid 11 and a top lid 12. The edges of these lids join withthe respectiveends of the wall 10 by conventional folded interconnecting seams 13. Inusing the improved gated lid, it is contemplated that the wall 10 andthe bottom lid 11 will be conventional members and hence, need not befurther described. The

top lid 12, wherein the improved gate structure G is located, islikewise conventional in its general form and in the manner in which itis connected to the edge of the cylindrical wall by a seam 13.

The gate structure G is positioned in the fiat portion of the lid 12 andincludes an aperture 20 through the surface of the lid. This aperture isnormally closed by the gate panel 21 which is slightly larger than theaperture and which underlies the aperture, as will be hereinafterdescribed. This aperture may be of any form, for example, it may becircular; however, an elongated aperture is preferable. The aperture 20illustrated in the drawing extends across a major portion of the canlid, symmetrical to a diameter, as along the indicated line 33 at FIG.2, and such line of symmetry may be called the primary axis of theaperture.

It is contemplated that a liquid may be poured from one end of thisopening as the can is tipped in the direction of that end, and that theother end of the opening will constitute a venting portion for access ofair into the can as it is being poured. Therefore, the opening ispreferably Wider at a pouring end 22 and narrower at a venting end 23,as illustrated. It is also generally smooth and rounded in its form,with each end fairing into the other end by straight intermediatereaches 24, as in the construction illustrated at FIG. 2, or by inwardlyopposing curved portions 25, as illustrated at FIG. 7.

The aperture 20 and the underlying gate panel 21 are formed from thesame blank of metal constituting the can lid 12 by a sequence of drawingoperations. Such operations are conventional and consist generally inthe steps of drawing the sheet metal portion constituting the gate panelinwardly, first, to a fiat-bottom, cup-like member, then enlarging thebottom area of this member and returning it to a position adjacent tothe aperture, with the wall portion of the initially-formed cup beingfolded outwardly and underneath the aperture edge and finally againstand between the surfaces of the gate and lid to constitute a spacerstrip about the edge where the enlarged gate panel underlaps theaperture.

The finally folded structure, illustrated in section at FIGS. 4 and 5,provides for a l80-degree fold edge 26 completely about the aperture 20,and with the fold 2 3 merging into the narrow spacer strip 27 underneaththe can lid about the edge of the aperture. This spacer strip 27terminates as a second ISO-degree folded edge 23 to merge into theperipheral edge of the gate panel which underlays the aperture. It is tobe noted that the structure shown at FIGS. 4 and 5, while beingillustrative of the final construction, is distorted somewhat becausethe folds 26 and 28 will actually be tightly crushed by the finalmovements of the drawing and forming machinery.

To render the gate panel 21 easily separable from the can lid, it isscored at its peripheral edge at, or adjacent to, the ISO-degree fold 28by a comparatively deep, continuous score cut. A wide-angle score 29 maybe cut at the fold itself, as in the manner illustrated at FIG. 4, or anarrower score 30 may be cut in the fiat portion panel surface adjacentto the tangent point of the merging fold 28, as in the mannerillustrated at FIG. 5. Either score cut may be made with conventionalapparatus, and it is to be noted that either type of score will belocated underneath the edge of the aperture 20 which is formed by thefold 26. A resulting safety feature is manifest, for in using this can,the smooth, rounded edge fold 26 about the aperture will be the only:portion touched, as when the gate panel is being pushed out of theopening by a users fingers, or when the user is drinking out of the can.In either situation, the user cannot cut himself. The sharp jagged edge,which is formed along the score cut whenever metal is torn at a scoreline, is completely within the can and out of the way from possiblecontact.

The depth to which the score line 29, or 30, may be cut will depend uponthe type of metal used in forming the can lid and the manner in whichthe can is to be opened. The gate panel 21 will be pushed downwardly andinto the can to open the gate, and it is contemplated that the forcerequired to do this will be only a moderate finger pressure. It is alsocontemplated that the pushing in of the gate panel will commence at oneend of the aperture and proceed along the aperture to the other end,rather than by a comparatively sudden snapping action where the entirelid would drop into the can, such being important where a beer can isopened to prevent foaming of the beer.

The strength of the neck-like portion 31 of the metal joining the gatepanel 21 to the ISO-degree fold 28 of the lid structure will depend uponthe depth of the cut 29, or 30. Such may be best determinedexperimentally because in the operation of forming cuts 29, or 3t), themetal neck 31 will work-harden and also embrittle to some extent. It iscontemplated that this metal neck will be very narrow when a steel lidis used and somewhat wider when an aluminum lid is used. In either case,the depth of the cut 29, or 30, may be varied at different locationsalong the course of the cut about the panel periphery. For example,where it is desired to commence opening the panel at the base of thepouring end 22, the depth of the cut at that portion may practicallysever the panel 21 from the spacer strip fold and render the metal neck31 very weak at that portion so that the panel may be disconnected by amoderate downward push. However, once the end of the panel 21 isdisconnected from the spacer strip fold 28, the remainder may be severedby a tearing or shearing action to separate the neck 31 along thestraight reach 24, for this requires considerably less force, and thethickness of the metal neck 31 is not critical. Finally, if it isdesired for the gate panel to remain connected to the underside of thecan lid after it is opened, the depth of the score cut 29, or 30, at theopposite vented end 23 of the aperture may be reduced to the point wherethe thickness of the metal neck 31 is substantial, and the gate panelmay be bent downwardly and out of the way at this end, but it will notnormally be severed from the lid. When so constructed, the thicker metalneck portion constitutes a hinge 32, as illustrated.

at FIG. 6, which permits the gate to be swung downwardly and out of theway when the aperture is completely opened. This provides a furthersafety feature because the sharp-edged, severed gate panel 21 cannot beeasily removed from the can and thrown about to constitute a step-onhazard.

It is also contemplated that the score cut 29, or 30, may be so deep asto sever the gate panel 21 from the lid about a substantial portion ofthe periphery of the panel or to such an extent that only the neckstructure 31 remain to hold the lid in place until the can is ready foruse. Where the score cut'does not extend through the metal sheet at anypoint, it is necessary to modify the can structure to protect fromleakage of the contents of the can. When so formed, the can lid isfinished and used precisely the same as an unformed lid, such as thebottom lid 11. However, where the score cut will extend completelythrough the metal sheet at any point about the gate panel, it isdesirable to provide a sealing means within the can.

Any suitable varnish-like resin may be used as a sealing means, and aresin compound of a type referred to as Plastisol is commercially usedfor this sealing. Plastisols are liquid dispersions of vinyl-typeresins. They may be coated on various materials and then converted intotough, resilient solids by curing at approximately 350 F. A small amountof this material, covering the underside of the gate structure andportions of the lid, is adequate to provide a seal 33, which not onlyprevents leakage through a severed score 29, or 30, but also'helps holdthe gate panel 21 in place when it is completely severed from the lid.Other modes of sealing the scores 29 and 30 are also possible, is formedin the lid, but before it is finally treated, the scores may be filledwith soft solder to facilitate holding the gate panels in position andto render them leak proof.

FIG. 7 is illustrative of one of several alternate arrangements possiblewith the aforedescribed structure. The FIG. 7 structure provides for anenlarged pouring end 22a and an enlarged end 230 to be separated byopposing incurved intermediate portions 25 of the can lid.

A further modification, not specifically illustrated in the drawing, ispossible by providing interruptions in the score line, such as thatillustrated at 32, but at selected positions along the score line topermit certain portions of the gate panel 21 to be severed and foldedinwardly from the lid. For example, a portion of the gate panel 21 mightbe folded inwardly from each end of the slot to provide a specificpouring portion and a venting portion, with the section of the gatepanel 21 between these portions remaining in position.

It is obvious that those skilled in the art can build and devise otheralternate and equivalent constructions which are also within the spiritand scope of our invention. Hence, we desire that our protection belimited, not by the constructions illustrated and described, but only bythe proper scope of the appended claims.

We claim:

1. A gated can lid comprising a unitary structure short, weak portionsof for example, after the gate structure formed by drawing and shaping aflat sheet metal canlid member to provide an aperture in the surface ofthe member and a gate panel underneath the aperture adapted to normallyclose it, and in an arrangement wherein the surface of the lid isunderfolded about the edge of the aperture as a ISO-degree outwardunderfold to form a narrow spacer strip at the underside of the lidabout the edge of the aperture, wherein the metal sheet is thenceinfolded about the outer edge of the spacer strip as a l80-degree inwardunderfold to merge into the metal sheet portion constituting said gatepanel, and a score cut about the edge of the gate panel adjacent to thesaid 180-degree inward underfold adapted to permit the gate panel to besevered from the spacer strip.

2. In the organization defined in claim 1, wherein said aperture iselongate and symmetrical about a primary axis in the elongateddirection.

3. In the organization set forth in claim 1, wherein said score cut isvaried in extent to provide easy separation of the gate panel from thespacer strip at one end of the aperture and to prevent easy separationof the gate panel from the spacer strip at the other end of theaperture,

whereby it may be folded into a can without being disconnected from thelid.

4. In the organization set forth in claim 1, wherein the score cutextends completely through the metal sheet and means adapted to normallyhold the gate panel in position against the spacer strip and to seal thescore cut from leaks.

5. In the organization set forth in claim 1, wherein the score cutextends completely through portions of the metal sheet and means adaptedto seal the score cut at such portions from leaks.

6. A gated can lid having a normally closed opening therein, formed bydrawing and shaping flat sheet material constituting the lid andincluding an aperture in the surface of the lid, a gate panel formed bydrawing and enlarging the metal sheet portion within the aperture andoffsetting this gate panel from the plane of the metal sheet to normallyunderlay the same about the edge of the aperture, a spacer strip betweenthe sheet and the gate panel having its inner edge interconnecting withthe aperture edge and its outer edge interconnecting with the peripheraledge of the gate panel, and a score line about the peripheral edge ofthe gate panel adapted to permit the gate panel to be severed from thespacer strip.

7. In the can lid defined in claim 6, interruptions in the score lineabout the can lid to permit selected portions of the panel to be severedfrom the spacer strip but to remain connected to the spacer strip at theinterrupted points.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,147,004 2/1939 Wark et a1.220-47 3,186,583 6/1965 Zuudel 22048 3,223,277 12/1965 Zuudel 22048THERON E. CONDON, Primary Examiner.

G. T. HALL, Assistant Examiner.

1. A GATED CAN LID COMPRISING A UNITARY STRUCTURE FORMED BY DRAWING ANDSHAPING A FLAT SHEET METAL CANLID MEMBER TO PROVIDE AN APERTURE IN THESURFACE OF THE MEMBER AND A GATE PANEL UNDERNEATH THE APERTURE ADAPTEDTO NORMALLY CLOSE IT, AND IN AN ARRANGEMENT WHEREIN THE SURFACE OF THELID IS UNDERFOLDED ABOUT THE EDGE OF THE APERTURE AS A 180-DEGREEOUTWARD UNDERFOLD TO FORM A NARROW SPACER STRIP AT THE UNDERSIDE OF THELID ABOUT THE EDGE OF THE APERTURE, WHEREIN THE METAL SHEET IS THENCEINFOLDED ABOUT THE OUTER EDGE OF THE SPACER STRIP AS A 180-DEGREE INWARDUNDERFOLD TO MERGE INTO THE METAL SHEET PORTION CONSTITUTING SAID GATEPANEL, AND A SCORE CUT ABOUT THE EDGE OF THE GATE PANEL ADJACENT TO THESAID 180-DEGREE INWARD UNDERFOLD ADAPTED TO PERMIT THE GATE PANEL TO BESEVERED FROM THE SPACER STRIP.